​Always a highlight on Christchurch’s rugby calendar: The Lions are coming!

The best the British Isles has to offer versus our local, homegrown talent. And this year is extra special. Not only will the whole Heat Pumps NOW team be cheering our boys in black, we’ve also got a chance to watch the mighty Crusaders in action against the great multi-national team.

It goes without saying we’ll be backing red and black, but Heat Pumps NOW always likes an underdog, which is why we see some similarities between ourselves and the British Lions.

Heat Pumps NOW Loves An Underdog

​This Lions tour of New Zealand is one of the most punishing in history. In 35 days the Lions will take on the Provincial Barbarians, the Māori All Blacks, each of our Super Rugby teams including the Canterbury Crusaders, and three test matches against the All Blacks!

There are many that argue they have bitten off more than they can chew! Just like the Lions, the Heat Pumps NOW team loves a challenge! Anything can happen during those precious 80 minutes on the field, and those who have already written the Lions off should be careful. Nobody is saying it will be easy, but nothing worth achieving is. There were plenty that wrote Heat Pumps NOW off early on, and it's very fair to say they’re regretting underestimating us now!

A Small Yet Elite Team

Many are calling this test a ‘war of attrition.’ The Lions don’t have a large bench to call players from, and they’ll need to take seriously good care of their team to protect against illness and injury. And that’s even before they reach the All Blacks! Similarly, Heat Pumps NOW is made up of a small, yet elite team.

​June and July are also when we’re called into action. As Christchurch cools down and homes need to be warmed, we have to take extra care of ourselves and our teammates to ensure we see through the entire winter season. We don’t have a large bench of reserves to call upon if someone falls sick or is injured, and we know people are relying on us to consistently perform at our peak.

A Proud Christchurch Heritage

​The Lions also have a proud tradition in Christchurch. The test match between the provincial Canterbury team in 1971 is still widely talked about, mainly because of the punches that were thrown around the scrums. While we’re super excited to see the Lions back in Christchurch to take on the Crusaders, it’s disappointing that the South Island isn’t hosting a test match. It’s just an extra obstacle for Christchurch rugby lovers who want to watch our Crusaders heavy All Blacks side take on the visitors. Our southern neighbours have a world class stadium just a short trip away, so it’s a bit disappointing that Auckland will host more than their fair share of games.

In spite of all this, the people of Christchurch will have a chance to get together and show the community spirit we’ve become famous for since the earthquakes. The Christchurch City Council are hosting Fan Zones, similar to the ones we visited to watch the Rugby World Cup games in 2011. If you’re heading to the fan zones, you’ll be sure to see some of the Heat Pumps NOW team cheering our boys on. While our loyalty to Christchurch and New Zealand is beyond question, we’ll always have a soft spot for the underdogs.